Third meeting

I'm delighted to say every time we meet, it gets better, easier and more fun! We went totally chocolate today with Rocky Road (main recipe) and, along with a seasonal quiz (about halloween and All saints day), we made chocolate apples (instead of toffee apples as those are far too complicated!) decorated with chocolate button eyes and marshmallow noses etc. We're certainly scoring high on the old fun factor! We even had 4 rounds of "In the jungle, the mighty jungle..." while we did the washing up...

Not so sure about the low-maintenance factor. It feels just about manageable for one person in a "bit more than spare time" role (me). I was more aware of the two tasks I juggle in this project, preparing for this session. The recipe planning and shopping is one task (one I find quite easy though still needing time and effort). The other task is the planning for the festival/reflective input and the overall responsibility for the relational aspects of the project. They are quite different tasks using different skills. Ideally, you could do with two people planning it together. And it does make me think the key to low-maintenance is good team work, which is an additional challenge for someone being asked to begin a project on their own.

Aside from the challenges of planning and preparing, my team are fab and so much more than I expected. Adele just instinctively gets on and clears up. Abi is both fab at practical and relational stuff and slotting in where needed (her support has been invaluable) and Jamie's just cool (she's 15 so like a big sister to the kids). One of the mum's stayed this time too which was great. So in terms of the actual meetings, it works really well.

So bring on next session. Nov 5th so the theme will be Bonfire night, of course. Not sure yet what to make...how do you top bowls of melted chocolate? I'm thinking about gingerbread or parkin. I just hope the kids like ginger unlike my fussy four year old. Also got to read up on Guy Fawkes so I sound like I know what I'm talking about in the reflection time...

Second meeting today

Yes, it was chocolate brownies today. The smell was intoxicating...just at the wrong time of day as well i.e. right before dinner. The kids were much calmer today (and I certainly was) so three cheers for that. They still seemed to really enjoy themselves despite me getting more school-marm-like to get them to pay attention more quickly.

Washing up with the kids took ages (as chocolate brownie mixture turns washing up water into brown soup with just the dunk of one mixing bowl) but they really got into the game (design a dish out of 3 specified ingredients plus 2 you know you have at home-winner gets to take ingredients home) and craft (pear place names using cloves for initials plus ribbon). My team of 3 helpers were brilliant. We all agreed we could do with one more helper so the recruitment drive continues. I'd love to be able to involve someone who isn't already heavily involved in other stuff at church. I think I'll chat to some folk face to face (rather than via the notice sheet) and see if I can charm them into helping.

Chatted with one of the mums today who was taking minutes at the funding meeting I had to present at last week. The issue of paying a fee for each session is clearly a concern for many who sit on funding bodies such as these. The feedback during and after the meeting included concern that not all families would be able to come if we charged (even a small fee) and therefore we have limited our catchment. My reflection is that with 12 spaces, we are limited anyway but I did gain some good ideas for how I might connect with a greater diversity of social backgrounds after Christmas.

Also, discovered my funding bid to another charity responded positively. Great news!

Another new experience

Having just about recovered from leading my first school assembly and running my first cookery session, on Wednesday I elected to stand up in front of 30 representatives of my local community and make a bid for a small grant request for my project. I wasn't sure what to expect but everyone seemed very positive and they've given the project some money. All sorts of suggestions were made to expand, involve others etc It's all very encouraging...